New Zealand rugby star Portia Woodman-Wickliffe has been turned into a Barbie doll to celebrate women in sport.
The Black Ferns player, who has won both Olympic and Rugby World Cup gold medals, is one of four professional rugby players featured in Mattel’s Team Barbie campaign. The dolls were launched to mark the United Nations’ International Day of the Girl, which celebrates the achievements and rights of girls worldwide.
The campaign aims to inspire girls to stay involved in sport by showing strong female role models. Research found that one in three girls stop playing sports by the age of 14, often because of worries about body image, self-doubt, or a lack of visible female athletes.
Woodman-Wickliffe said seeing herself as a Barbie was “surreal and special.” She was especially pleased that her doll included her curly hair and her Tā Moko. “I know how important visibility is,” she said. “Now young girls can see themselves represented and know what’s possible.”
She hopes her Barbie will encourage girls to keep playing sport. “Too often we start, but then we drop off,” she said. “Staying in sport builds confidence. I wouldn’t be able to do what I do now without rugby.”
Woodman-Wickliffe said sport had taught her to be proud of who she is. “I am strong, funny, beautiful, Māori—all the things that make me who I am. I want girls everywhere to feel that same pride.”
She joins three other rugby players honoured with their own dolls: Ilona Maher from the United States, Ellie Kildunne from the United Kingdom, and Narissa Konde from France.
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